Adjustable bracket for the attachment of building cladding systems

ABSTRACT

A device for use in the fastening of a panel or cladding to a wall is disclosed. The device includes a base plate, a panel connecting plate, and a connecting assembly that connects the panel connecting plate to the base plate and that is constructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermal bridging between the base plate and the panel connecting plate through an insulation layer that covers the base plate and the wall while simultaneously providing structural integrity for attaching the panel or cladding to the wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/480,952, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,875,467, entitled“ADJUSTABLE BRACKED FOR THE ATTACHMENT OF BUILDING CLADDING SYSTEMS”filed on May 25, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/519,556, entitled “ADJUSTABLE BRACKED FOR THE ATTACHMENTOF BUILDING CLADDING SYSTEMS” filed on May 25, 2011, each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices used in theconstruction industry to fasten cladding systems to buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent changes in the International Energy Code require “continuousinsulation” in many exterior wall assemblies. These requirements wereadded in an effort to reduce the amount of thermal bridging that occursin many assemblies due to these assemblies containing conductivematerials that extend from the warm side of the wall to the cold side ofthe wall. In many assemblies, thermal bridging can reduce theeffectiveness of the insulation in the assembly by up to 50% and moredepending on the frequency of the bridging.

The present state of the art for attaching many cladding systems tobuildings is via the use of what is commonly called “Z-furring” orsimilar metal devices. These devices are installed in a continuousmanner usually in horizontal or vertical orientations and atpredetermined spacings. Insulation is then installed between the devicesresulting in the devices bridging through the insulation from the warmside of the insulation to the cold side of the insulation in acontinuous manner thus reducing the effectiveness of the insulation.

In using the present state of the art devices, adjustability tocompensate for construction tolerances, out of plumb framing and out ofplane substrates is achieved via the use of shims installed between thedevice and the substrate. Also the devices provide a means of retainingthe insulation installed between the devices in place. This is usuallyachieved via a retaining element or a friction fit.

The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a new andnovel means of fastening cladding systems to buildings in a way thatsubstantially reduces thermal bridging. Another objective of the presentinvention is to provide adjustability of the fastening system within thedevice. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a meanof mechanically fastening rigid and semi-rigid insulation in theexterior wall assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed toproviding a new and novel device for securely fastening cladding systemsto back up walls of buildings in a way that substantially reducesthermal bridging. Another aspect of the present invention is to provideadjustability of the plane for fastening of the cladding systems to backup walls of buildings with the device of the present invention. Stillanother aspect is to provide for securing rigid and semi-rigidinsulation to the back up wall with the device of the present invention.A further aspect of the present invention is to provide for varyingthickness insulation layers to be secured to the back up wall ofbuildings with the device of the present invention. Various embodimentsand aspects of an adjustable bracket used for the attachment of buildingcladding systems or panels to building back up walls that substantiallyminimizes thermal bridging, provide adjustability of the plane forconnection such cladding systems, and that provides for securing varyingthickness rigid and semi-rigid insulation to the back up wall of thebuilding enclosure assembly are disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a flat base plate that isattached to a first end of a post. This post is inwardly threaded at asecond end that is not attached to the base plate. An outwardly threadedpost is engaged to the inwardly threaded post at a first end of theoutwardly threaded post by the threading of the first end of theoutwardly threaded post into the second end of the inwardly threadedpost. An additional flat plate is attached to a second end of theoutwardly threaded post that is not threaded into the inwardly threadedpost.

One embodiment of a device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall comprises a base plate constructed andarranged to be affixed to the wall, a panel connecting plate constructedand arranged to provide attachment points for fastening of the panel orcladding to the panel connecting plate, and a connecting assembly thatconnects the panel connecting plate to the base plate and that isconstructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermal bridgingbetween the base plate and the panel connecting plate through aninsulation layer that covers the base plate and the wall, whilesimultaneously providing structural integrity for attaching the panel orcladding to the wall.

One aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly is constructed and arranged to be adjustable in length so as toprovide for different first lengths between the base plate and the panelconnecting plate so as to compensate for variations in a planar locationof the wall.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly can comprise a threaded post connected to the base plate andhaving a threaded aperture along at least a portion of the threadedpost, and a threaded post connected to the panel connecting plate havingan threaded outside diameter along at least of a portion of the threadedpost that is constructed and arranged to mate with threaded post toprovide the adjustable first length. Another aspect of this embodimentof the device is the device can also comprise an insulation retainingplate having a threaded aperture constructed and arranged to mate withthe threaded post so as to be disposed between the base plate and thepanel connecting plate and constructed and arranged to have its positionwith respect to the base plate be adjustable so as to provide for avarying second distance between the base plate and the insulationretaining plate to secure the insulation layer between the base plateand the insulation retaining plate.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly can comprise an insulation retaining plate to be disposedbetween the base plate and the panel connecting plate and constructedand arranged to have its position with respect to the base plate beadjustable so as to provide for a varying distance between the baseplate and the insulation retaining plate so as to secure the insulationlayer between the base plate and the insulation retaining plate.

Another embodiment of a device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall comprises a base plate constructed andarranged to be affixed to the wall, a panel connecting plate constructedand arranged to provide attachment points for fastening of the panel orcladding to the panel connecting plate, a connecting assembly thatconnects the panel connecting plate to the base plate so as to providestructural integrity for attaching the panel or cladding to the wall,and an insulation retaining plate constructed and arranged to bedisposed between the base plate and the panel connecting plate andconstructed and arranged to have its position with respect to the baseplate be adjustable so as to provide for a varying second distancebetween the base plate and the insulation retaining plate so as tosecure an insulation layer between the base plate and the insulationretaining plate.

One aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly is constructed and arranged to be adjustable in length so as toprovide for different first lengths between the base plate and the panelconnecting plate so as to compensate for variations in a planar locationof the wall.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly includes a threaded post connected to the base plate and havinga threaded aperture along at least a portion of the threaded post, and athreaded post connected to the panel connecting plate having an threadedoutside diameter along at least of a portion of the threaded post thatis constructed and arranged to mate with threaded post to provide theadjustable first length. Another aspect of this embodiment of the deviceis that the insulation retaining plate has a threaded apertureconstructed and arranged to mate with the threaded post.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly is constructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermalbridging between the base plate and the panel connecting plate throughthe insulation layer.

Another embodiment of a device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall comprises a base plate constructed andarranged to be affixed to the wall, a panel connecting plate constructedand arranged to provide attachment points for fastening of the panel orcladding to the panel connecting plate, and an adjustable lengthconnecting assembly that connects the panel connecting plate to the baseplate and that is constructed and arranged to be adjustable in length soas to adjust a position of the panel connecting plate with respect tothe base plate so as to provide for different first lengths between thebase plate and the panel connecting plate, the adjustable lengthconnecting assembly further constructed and arranged so as to provideminimal thermal bridging between the base plate and the panel connectingplate through an insulation layer that covers the base plate and thewall, while simultaneously providing structural integrity for attachingthe panel or cladding to the wall.

One aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the adjustablelength connecting assembly includes a threaded post connected to thebase plate and having a threaded aperture along at least a portion ofthe threaded post; and a threaded post connected to the panel connectingplate having an threaded outside diameter along at least of a portion ofthe threaded post that is constructed and arranged to mate with threadedpost to provide the adjustable first length. Another aspect of thisembodiment of the device is that the device can further comprise aninsulation retaining plate having a threaded aperture constructed andarranged to mate with the threaded post so as to be to be disposedbetween the base plate and the panel connecting plate and constructedand arranged to have its position with respect to the base plate beadjustable so as to provide for a varying second distance between thebase plate and the insulation retaining plate to secure the insulationlayer between the base plate and the insulation retaining plate.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the device canfurther comprising an insulation retaining plate constructed andarranged to be disposed between the base plate and the panel connectingplate and constructed and arranged to have its position with respect tothe base plate be adjustable so as to provide a varying second distancebetween the base plate and the insulation retaining plate so as tosecure the insulation layer between the base plate and the insulationretaining plate.

Another embodiment of a device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall comprises a base plate constructed andarranged to be affixed to the wall, a panel connecting plate constructedand arranged to provide attachment points for fastening of the panel orcladding to the panel connecting plate, an adjustable length connectingassembly that connects the panel connecting plate to the base plate andthat is constructed and arranged to be adjustable in a length so as toadjust a position of the panel connecting plate with respect to the baseplate so as to provide for a varying first distance between the baseplate and the panel connecting plate, and an insulation retaining plateconstructed and arranged to be disposed between the base plate and thepanel connecting plate and constructed and arranged to have its positionbe adjustable with respect to the base plate so as to provide for avarying second distance between the base plate and the insulationretaining plate for securing an insulation to the wall.

One aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the adjustablelength connecting assembly includes a threaded post connected to thebase plate and having a threaded aperture along at least a portion ofthe threaded post, and a threaded post connected to the panel connectingplate having an threaded outside diameter along at least of a portion ofthe threaded post that is constructed and arranged to mate with threadedpost to provide the adjustable first length.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the device is that the connectingassembly is constructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermalbridging between the base plate and the panel connecting plate throughthe insulation layer.

Another aspect of the various embodiments of the device is that theconnecting assembly is constructed and arranged to transfer any loadsimposed by wind and seismic forces from the panel or cladding to theback up wall.

Another aspect of the various embodiments of the device is that the baseplate comprises a metal. Another aspect of this embodiment of the deviceis that the panel connecting plate comprises a metal. Another aspect ofthis embodiment of the device is that the insulation retaining platecomprises a metal.

Another aspect of the various embodiments of the device is that the baseplate is constructed and arranged with apertures that are constructedand arranged for fasteners to be inserted through the apertures tofasten the base plate to the wall. An alternative aspect of thisembodiment of the device is that the base plate is constructed andarranged of materials and a thickness so that it can be welded to thewall.

Another aspect of the various embodiments of the device is that thepanel connecting plate can be constructed and arranged so that fastenerscan be used to connect the panel or cladding or their fasteningassemblies to the panel connecting plate. According to one embodiment,the fasteners can be metal.

Another aspect of the various embodiments of the device is that thedevice can further be provided with attachment components that areconstructed and arranged to be connected to the panel connecting plate.The attachment components can comprise metal or other materials.

In another embodiment, the device comprises a flat base plate that isattached to a first end of a post. This post is inwardly threaded at asecond end that is not attached to the base plate. A first end of anoutwardly threaded post is engaged to the second end of the inwardlythreaded post-type structure by the threading of the outwardly threadedpost into the inwardly threaded post. A flat plate is attached to asecond end of the outwardly threaded post that is not threaded into theinwardly threaded post. This embodiment also comprises a substantiallyflat plate that contains a threaded aperture through its middle and thatis threaded onto the outwardly threaded post. This plate may or may nothave profiles protruding form each face to both secure the plate to bothrigid and semi-rigid insulation and to provide structure to rotate theplate in order to thread it up or down on the outwardly threaded post.

One embodiment of a method of affixing a panel or a cladding to aback-up wall, comprises fastening a plurality of base plates to thewall, connecting a panel connecting plate to each of the base plateswith a connecting assembly, adjusting a position of the panel connectingplate relative to the base plate with the connecting assembly to providea desired first distance between the panel connecting plate and the baseplate, affixing attachment components to the plurality of panelconnection plates, and fastening a panel or cladding to the fasteningcomponents.

One aspect of this embodiment of the method is that the method canfurther comprise adding an insulation layer to the wall after fasteningthe plurality of base plates to the wall so that the insulation layercovers the plurality of base plates and the wall.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the method is that the method canfurther comprise securing the insulation layer to the base plate and thewall with an insulation retaining plate connected between the base plateand the panel connecting plate, by positioning the insulation retainingplate a second distance away from the base plate so as to hold theinsulation layer in place.

Another aspect of this embodiment of the method is that the method canfurther comprise affixing continuous attachment components to the panelconnection plate with fasteners, affixing clips to the continuousattachment components, and mating the clips affixed to the continuousattachment component to the stiffener plates attached to the panel orcladding.

One aspect of this embodiment of the method is that the plurality ofbase plates can be attached to the wall by affixing each base plate tothe wall with a plurality of fasteners. Another aspect of thisembodiment of the method is that the plurality of base plates can beattached to the wall by welding each base plate to the wall.

One aspect of this embodiment of the method is that the panel orcladding can be attached to the plurality of panel connection plates ofthe plurality of devices of the present invention with a plurality offasteners. Alternatively the panel or cladding can be attached to theplurality of panel connection plates of the plurality of devices of thepresent invention by welding the panel or cladding to each panelconnection plate.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplaryaspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail below. Embodimentsdisclosed herein may be combined with other embodiments in any mannerconsistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, andreferences to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “an alternateembodiment,” “various embodiments,” “one embodiment” or the like are notnecessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described may beincluded in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such termsherein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to bedrawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and afurther understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures,each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated invarious figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes ofclarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. Thefollowing description of the invention will be better understood withreference to the accompany Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the device of thepresent invention illustrated as operatively engaged in a buildingenclosure assembly and fastening a composite metal panel veneer to thebuilding at one fastening point, and further illustrating a flat metalstrap is used to fasten the composite metal panel veneer to device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of thepresent invention illustrated as operatively engaged in the buildingenclosure assembly fastening a composite metal panel veneer to thebuilding at one fastening point, and further illustrating a flat metalstrap is used as an attachment component to fasten the composite metalpanel veneer to device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the device the presentinvention illustrated as operatively engaged in the building enclosureassembly fastening a composite metal panel veneer to the building at onefastening point, and further illustrating a metal “Z-furring” is used asan attachment component to fasten the composite metal panel veneer todevice of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the device the presentinvention illustrated as operatively engaged in the building enclosureassembly fastening a composite metal panel veneer to the building at onefastening point, and further illustrating a metal hat furring is used asan attachment component to fasten the composite metal panel veneer todevice of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carriedout in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass theitems listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additionalitems.

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to bedrawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and afurther understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures,each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated invarious figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes ofclarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure.

According to aspects of this disclosure, various devices and methods areprovided herein for securely fastening cladding systems or panels toback up walls of buildings in a way that substantially reduces thermalbridging. In addition, various devices and methods are provided hereinfor providing adjustability of a plane of a plate or other typestructure for fastening of the cladding systems or panels to such backup walls of buildings. Further, various devices and methods are providedherein for securing varying thickness insulation layers, such as rigidand semi-rigid insulation layers, to the back up wall. By way ofintroduction and referring to the Figures, Referring to FIG. 1, there isillustrated one embodiment of a device 10 that comprises a flat baseplate 20, an inwardly threaded post 30, an outwardly threaded post 40and a flat panel connecting plate 50. The present invention may or maynot also have a flat insulation retaining plate 60 with a threadedaperture that threads onto the outwardly threaded post 40. The baseplate 20 has two apertures 21 in it that facilitate the fastening of thebase plate 20 to a substrate such as a back up wall with fasteners 23.To the base plate 20 is attached the inwardly threaded post 30 at oneend 31 of the inwardly threaded post 30. The other end 32 of theinwardly threaded post 30 receives one end of the outwardly threadedpost 40. This connection through the engagement of the threads of theinwardly threaded post 30 and the outwardly threaded post 40 allows foradjustability of the overall length of the device of present invention10. To the other end of the outwardly threaded post 40 is attached aflat plate 50. Optionally, the flat insulation retaining plate 60 isengaged with the outwardly threaded post 40 via a round threadedaperture 61 that is located substantially in the center of the flatinsulation retaining plate 60.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional and perspective views, respectively,illustrating an embodiment of the device 10 of the invention as intendedto be utilized at one fastening point in a building enclosure assemblyfor fastening a composite metal panel veneer to the building. FIGS. 2and 3 further illustrate that the base plate 20 is fastened to theback-up wall assembly 70 that, in the illustrated example consists oflight gage metal framing 71 and gypsum sheathing 72, via the use offasteners 23 which are installed through the apertures 21 in the baseplate 20 and engaged with the back-up wall 70. In other applications,the back-up wall may consist of wood framing and wood sheathing,concrete masonry units or concrete and that the device of the presentinvention can be used to securely attach panels or cladding systems toany of such back-up walls. In any of these applications, there may ormay not exist water resistant barrier 73 that may serve the function ofbeing an air and vapor barrier for the exterior wall assembly. It is tobe appreciated that a plurality of the base plates 20 of the device 10of the present invention will be installed on the back-up wall assembly70. The base plates may be, but need not be, installed in apredetermined pattern to the back up wall assembly. After the baseplates 20 are installed, an insulation layer 80 is then installed. Ifthe insulation layer 80 is comprised of unitized unit of insulation, theoptional flat insulation retaining plate 60 is then threaded onto thethreaded post 40 through the aperture 61 in the flat insulationretaining plate 60. If the insulation layer 80 is comprised of, forexample a spray polyurethane foam, then the optional flat insulationretaining plate 60 is not needed in the assembly. The outwardly threadedpost 40 is then installed into the inwardly threaded post 30 by twistingthe threads of each component together similar to how a screw threadsinto a bolt. The flat panel connecting plate 50 is twisted thusthreading the outwardly threaded post 40 into the inwardly threaded post30 until the face of the flat panel connecting plate 50 is substantiallyin the desired plane for the attachment of the veneer assembly 90 to thepanel connecting plate 50 of the device of the present invention. Theflat insulation retaining plate 60 is then threaded down the outwardlythreaded post 40 by rotating the flat insulation retaining plate 60 sothat the threaded aperture 61 of the flat insulation retaining plate 60threads down the outwardly threaded post 40 until it comes into contactwith the insulation layer 80 thus securing the insulation layer 80 inplace via a compression fit. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, accordingto aspects of the device, a flat metal strap 92 is used as an attachmentcomponent to fasten the composite metal panel veneer system 91 to thepanel connecting plate 50 of the device of the present invention.

One embodiment of the veneer assembly 90 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3includes a flat metal plate 92 as a connecting component which isfastened either horizontally or vertically to consecutive flat panelconnecting plates 50 of the present invention 10 via the use offasteners 93 which engage both the flat metal plate 92 and the flatpanel connecting plate 50 of the device 10 of the present invention. Tothis flat steel plate 92 may or may not be attached intermittent metalclips 94 which are fastened to the flat metal plate 92 at prescribedspacings via the use of fasteners 95 which engage both the flat metalplate 92 and the intermittent metal clip 94. The veneer assembly may ormay not also contain panel stiffener plates 96 that engage with theintermittent clips 94 due to the mating configurations of the twoelements. These stiffener plates 96 are mechanically fastened to themetal veneer panels 91 via fasteners 97 at prescribed intervals. Theveneer assembly 90 may or may not also contain a strip of metal panelveneer 98 located vertically and/or horizontally between the metalveneer panels 91.

Another embodiment of the veneer assembly 90 as shown in FIG. 4 includes“Z-furring” 100 as a connecting component which is fastened eitherhorizontally or vertically to consecutive flat panel connecting plates50 of the present invention 10 via the use of fasteners 93 which engageboth the “Z-furring” 100 and the flat panel connecting plate 50 of thedevice 10 of the present invention. To this “Z-furring” may or may notbe attached intermittent metal clips 94 which are fastened to the“Z-furring” 100 at prescribed spacings via the use of fasteners 95 whichengage both the “Z-furring” 100 and the intermittent metal clip 94. Theveneer assembly may or may not also contain panel stiffener plates 96that engage with the intermittent clips 94 due to the matingconfigurations of the two elements. These stiffener plates 96 aremechanically fastened to the metal veneer panels 91 via fasteners 97 atprescribed intervals. The veneer assembly 90 may or may not also containa strip of metal panel veneer 98 located vertically and/or horizontallybetween the metal veneer panels 91.

Another embodiment of the veneer assembly 90 as shown in FIG. 5 includeshat furring 101 as a connecting component which is fastened eitherhorizontally or vertically to consecutive flat panel connecting plates50 of the present invention 10 via the use of fasteners 93 which engageboth the hat furring 101 and the flat panel connecting plate 50 of thedevice 10 of the present invention. To this hat furring 101 may or maynot be attached intermittent metal clips 94 which are fastened to thehat furring 101 at prescribed spacings via the use of fasteners 95 whichengage both the hat furring 101 and the intermittent metal clip 94. Theveneer assembly may or may not also contain panel stiffener plates 96that engage with the intermittent clips 94 due to the matingconfigurations of the two elements. These stiffener plates 96 aremechanically fastened to the metal veneer panels 91 via fasteners 97 atprescribed intervals. The veneer assembly 90 may or may not also containa strip of metal panel veneer 98 located vertically and/or horizontallybetween the metal veneer panels 91.

Other embodiments of the veneer assembly 90 may include other methods ofattachment of the assembly 90 to the present invention without departingfrom the intent of the invention.

Various modifications may be made to the components of the device 10 ofthe present invention. Some exemplary modifications to the device are asfollows:

-   -   The threaded post can be any shape, such as tubular, square,        hexagonal, triangular, and the like;    -   Any of the base plate, the panel connecting plate, and the        insulation retaining plate, can be flat, but also need not be.        For example, any of the plates can have raised surfaces on one        face, the other face or both;    -   Any of the base plate, the panel connecting plate, and the        insulation retaining plate can be made of a metal such as steel,        galvanized steel, aluminum, and the like, a metal alloy, such as        cast iron, a plastic, such as a PVC, or any other materials that        are suitable for its intended purpose; and    -   Other types and configurations of veneer assemblies may be used        in conjunction with the device of the present invention.

Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it isto be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of thisdisclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way ofexample only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall, the device comprising: a base plateconsisting of a plate with a plurality of apertures for affixing thebase plate to an exterior surface of the back up wall and a threadedtube connected to the base plate having a threaded aperture along atleast a portion of the threaded tube; a panel connecting plateconstructed and arranged to provide attachment points for fastening ofthe panel or cladding to the panel connecting plate, the panelconnecting plate including a threaded post connected to the panelconnecting plate having a threaded outside diameter along at least of aportion of the threaded post that is constructed and arranged to matewith the threaded tube of the base plate; and a connecting assembly thatconnects the panel connecting plate to the base plate, the connectingassembly including the threaded tube and the threaded post that areconstructed and arranged so as to provide structural integrity forattaching the panel connecting plate to the base plate and for attachingthe panel or cladding to the back up wall, and that are constructed andarranged to cooperate with the base plate and the panel connecting plateto provide an adjustable first distance between the base plate and thepanel connecting plate.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising aninsulation retaining plate disposed between the base plate and the panelconnecting plate that is constructed and arranged to cooperate with theconnecting assembly to have its position with respect to the base platebe adjustable so as to provide for a varying second distance between thebase plate and the insulation retaining plate so as to secure aninsulation layer between the base plate and the insulation retainingplate.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the insulation retaining platehas a threaded aperture constructed and arranged to mate with thethreaded post attached to the panel connecting plate so as to bedisposed between the base plate and the panel connecting plate and isconstructed and arranged to have its position with respect to the baseplate be adjustable so as to provide for the varying second distancebetween the base plate and the insulation retaining plate.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the connecting assembly is constructed and arrangedto transfer any loads imposed by wind and seismic forces from the panelor cladding to the back up wall.
 5. A device for use in the fastening ofa panel or cladding to a back up wall, the device comprising: a baseplate constructed and arranged to be affixed only to an exterior surfaceof the back up wall and to be a load bearing element, the base plateconsisting of a plate with a plurality of apertures for affixing thebase plate to an exterior surface of the back up wall and a threadedtube connected to the base plate having a threaded aperture along atleast a portion of the threaded tube; a panel connecting plateconstructed and arranged to provide attachment points for fastening ofthe panel or cladding to the panel connecting plate and to be a loadbearing element, the panel connecting plate including a threaded postconnected to the panel connecting plate having a threaded outsidediameter along at least of a portion of the threaded post that isconstructed and arranged to mate with the threaded tube of the baseplate; and a connecting assembly including the threaded tube and thethreaded post that connects the panel connecting plate to the base plateso as to provide at first distance between the base plate and the panelconnecting plate so as to provide a load bearing element for attachingthe panel or cladding to the panel connecting plate and to the back upwall.
 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising an insulationretaining plate constructed and arranged to be disposed between the baseplate and the panel connecting plate and constructed and arranged tohave its position with respect to the base plate be adjustable so as toprovide for a varying second distance between the base plate and theinsulation retaining plate so as to secure an insulation layer betweenthe base plate and the insulation retaining plate and without theinsulation retaining plate and the insulation being a load bearingelement.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein the connecting assembly isconstructed and arranged to be adjustable in length so as to provide fordifferent first distances between the base plate and the panelconnecting plate so as to compensate for variations in a planar locationof the wall.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the insulation retainingplate has a threaded aperture constructed and arranged to mate with thethreaded post.
 9. The device of claim 5, wherein the connecting assemblyis constructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermal bridgingbetween the base plate and the panel connecting plate through aninsulation layer.
 10. A device for use in the fastening of a panel orcladding to a back up wall, the device comprising: a base plateconstructed and arranged to be affixed only to an exterior surface ofthe back up wall, the base plate consisting of a plate with a pluralityof apertures for affixing the base plate to an exterior surface of theback up wall and a threaded tube connected to the base plate having athreaded aperture along at least a portion of the threaded tube; a panelconnecting plate constructed and arranged to provide attachment pointsfor fastening of the panel or cladding to the panel connecting plate,the panel connecting plate including a threaded post connected to thepanel connecting plate having a threaded outside diameter along at leastof a portion of the threaded post that is constructed and arranged tomate with the threaded tube of the base plate; and wherein the threadedtube of the base plate and the threaded post of panel connecting plateare configured to mate together to connect the panel connecting plate tothe base plate and to provide an adjustable first distance between thebase plate and the panel connecting plate so as to provide an adjustabledistance from an exterior of the back up wall to the panel connectingplate.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising an insulationretaining plate having a threaded aperture constructed and arranged tomate with one of the threaded post of the base plate and the threadedpost of the panel connecting plate and constructed and arranged to haveits position with respect to the base plate be adjustable so as toprovide a varying second distance between the base plate and theinsulation retaining plate so as to secure the insulation layer betweenthe base plate and the insulation retaining plate.
 12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the insulation retaining plate has a threaded apertureconstructed and arranged to mate with the externally threaded post ofthe panel connecting plate so as to be to be disposed between the baseplate and the panel connecting plate and is constructed and arranged soas to have its position with respect to the base plate be adjustable soas to provide for the varying second distance.
 13. The device of claim10, wherein the threaded tube and the threaded post are constructed andarranged to transfer any loads imposed by wind and seismic forces fromthe panel or cladding to the back up wall.
 14. A device for use in thefastening of a panel or cladding to a back up wall, the devicecomprising: a base plate consisting of an inwardly threaded tubeconfigured to mate with an outwardly threaded post of a panel connectingplate and consisting of a plurality of apertures for affixing the baseplate to the back up wall; the panel connecting plate having theoutwardly threaded post and having a plurality of apertures forfastening of the panel or cladding to the panel connecting plate; andwherein the inwardly threaded tube of the base plate and the outwardlythreaded post of the panel connecting plate are configured to matetogether so as to provide for a varying first distance between the baseplate and the panel connecting plate.
 15. The device of claim 14,further comprising an insulation retaining plate having an internallythreaded aperture configured to mate with the outwardly threaded post ofthe panel connecting plate so as to be disposed between the base plateand the panel connecting plate and so as to have its position beadjustable with respect to the base plate so as to provide for a varyingsecond distance between the base plate and the insulation retainingplate for securing an insulation to the back up wall.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the threaded tube and the threaded post areconstructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermal bridgingbetween the base plate and the panel connecting plate through theinsulation layer.
 17. A method of fastening a panel or cladding to aback up wall comprising: securing a base plate consisting of a platewith a plurality of apertures and a threaded tube connected to the baseplate having a threaded aperture along at least a portion of thethreaded tube to only an exterior surface of the back up wall; attachinga panel connecting plate including a threaded post connected to thepanel connecting plate having a threaded outside diameter along at leastof a portion of the threaded post to the base plate; and adjusting adistance between the panel connecting and the base plate from anexterior side of the backup wall by turning the panel connecting platewith respect to the base plate; and securing the panel or cladding tothe panel connecting plate.
 18. The method of fastening a panel orcladding to a back up wall as claimed in claim 17, further comprisingadding insulation to the exterior face of the back up wall and attachingan insulation retaining plate to the base plate so that the insulationretaining plate abuts against a face of the insulation and secures theinsulation to the back up wall.
 19. The method of fastening a panel orcladding to a back up wall as claimed in claim 18, wherein the act ofadjusting the distance between the panel connecting and the base platecomprises turning the panel connecting plate with respect to the baseplate.
 20. The method of fastening a panel or cladding to a back up wallas claimed in claim 19, wherein the act of attaching the insulationretaining plate to the base plate comprises threading the insulationretaining plate onto the externally threaded post of the panelconnecting plate.